PM’s approval not sought for Musharraf treason case, court told

ISLAMABAD: The special court trying Pervez Musharraf was informed on Wednesday that no approval was taken from the prime minister and the federal cabinet prior to the registration of the high treason trial against the former military dictator.A three-member bench of the special court headed by Justice Faisal Arab and comprising Justice Yawar Ali and Justice Tahira Safdar resumed the hearing of the high treason trial on Wednesday. Defence lawyer Faroogh Nasim continued the cross-examination of the complainant of the case, Interior Secretary Shahid Khan, and asked him if he agreed with the stance that the incumbent prime minister was the abettor of the actions taken by another former dictator Ziaul Haq. The defence lawyer added that Ziaul Haq also toppled an elected government in 1977, but no treason trial was initiated against him. The interior secretary replied he had no knowledge about whether the incumbent prime minister was the abettor of the Ziaul Haq or not. Nasim asked the interior secretary if court’s permission was required before starting proceedings under Article (6) of the constitution. Shahid Khan replied that no prior permission from the court was compulsory in this regard.Nasim asked the complainant if “the act of high-jacking” of Musharraf’s plane on October 12, 1999 can be tried under Article (6) of the constitution. Shahid Khan said he has no evidence to say if this act can be tried under Article (6) or not. The cross-examination of the interior secretary would continue today (Thursday) when the court resumes hearing of the case.